When we are living in a home, we do not think about what it takes to build it. Items such as land, a water source, electricity, natural gas or propane, and sewage handling are the first to come to mind. We expect the structure to stay relatively close to where it was built, safe from shifting ground, flood, or storm. The builder uses lumber, concrete, roofing, wiring, plumbing, cabinets, lighting, and air handling systems. There should be a fire hydrant nearby, stores for groceries, hospitals, roads, schools, and internet access. We want good neighbors, garages, desirable floorplans, safety, privacy, and gardens; a view would be nice.
Our minds compare this home to a perfect ideal that we have conjured up. We sometimes compare it to the homes of others which we consider more desirable. Even custom homes, designed by the intended occupants, fall short because of the amenities either forgotten or out of the budget.
King Solomon said in Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” Jesus talked about building several times. He said in Luke 14:28-30 to count the cost before you build. In Matthew 7:24-27 He says a foolish man builds his on sand.
In Hebrews 3:3 Paul wrote “. . . the builder of the house has more honor than the house.” In Hebrews 3:4 “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.”
My favorite structure, which possesses all these requirements and more, is described in a very unusual place. If you ignore the first part of Revelations, the latter part is easily understandable and quite practical. Very close to the end, literally The End, is the description of the New Jerusalem just two pages from the end of the Bible. It is to be the dwelling of the believers in Christ for all time. Yes, you and I who believe will be living there.
Here is a summary of its practical description. The earth of today is gone. In its place is a massive cube of 1,500 miles in each direction, up/down, left/right, and front to back. The habitable area of the earth today is only 13% of the total. As well, we live in only the first 3.5 miles above sea level. We are talking of the new city as 1,500 miles high! You could have layers with each one a mile high. That would yield 1,500 layers.
If every person on the earth today was to live there, each person would have two acres of land. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Later Jesus says, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and liars.”
In John 14:2-3 & 6-7 Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
A Guy Named Bob 